Question:
Question aabout vitamins and protein

I will be having surgery on August 21. I was just trying to get all prepared before then and need to know what are some kinds of protein powders or shakes that i can get to start with to have on hand. I need some that are not too expensive. I dont even know where to start. Also about vitamins, there are so many childrens vitamins: sugar free, or extra iron, C, Calcium. Which one do i start with. I was just overwhelmed with all the options. Also if anyone has any last minute advice, I can use it. Thanks for all the help that everyone here has given to me. Y'all are the greatest.    — sandyh (posted on August 5, 2003)

August 5, 2003
My best advice on getting protien drinks is to check out www.vitalady.com and order some samples. And then wait until after your surgery to try them (if money is an issue, which you kind of hint it is). Our tastes change so much between that one day preop and postop. What you like today you may hate tomorrow and vice versa. She is also very informed on the necessary vitamin regimin and will gladly answer your questions!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 5, 2003
Have a WalMart handy??? Then you're set! LOL Two of the best ones I found for early preop are CarbSolutions and AdvantEdge both in the ready to drink bottles/cartons. You can get a 4-pack for roughly $5. These are both smooth and taste pretty good. I still mix them with my coffee sometimes for an afternoon snack. Don't buy a bunch, maybe one 4-pack of each--even if you try them and like them now. Your tastes will change after surgery. <p>As far as vitamins, most take the flinstones chewables. One note: I did fine with the regular ones with 100% iron in them, but then bought the "complete" version with a bit more iron in them and they were very chalky. ICK. The calcium citrate you'll have several options early preop--chewable wafers (Twinlabs), liquid (www.vitaminworld.com), or capsules (you can open them in a spoon of applesauce or yogurt--vitalady has these). Be sure to take the multivit with iron and the calcium separately and to not take more than 500 mg of calcium at a time for full absorption. GNC has a pretty good sublingual B-12--don't get the pills: we don't absorb them--in a cherry flavor. If you'd like to see more info on supplements, I have some stuff on my profile.<p>If you have trouble soon after surgery getting tired of so much sweet stuff, you might try MLO unflavored/unsweetened milk & egg protein powder. You can mix it in anything, even salty stuff. I hear that ProCel is similar (minimal taste and no sweetner) but made with whey. The MLO I can find online or at Kroger. ProCel you can get from vitalady.<p>I hope this helps and best of luck on your upcoming surgery!
   — ctyst

August 5, 2003
Congratulations on your surgery date! My surgeon recommended Flinstones Vitamins, they taste better than most too. I don't do the shakes, so no opinion there. I am 3 1/2 weeks out and suggest you take pads and a fan to the hospital. I didn't have a period for months, and what do you know? They came in handy. Also, take your own sugar free popscicles so that you can have them at your disposal. You will do so good. Give yourself time to heal after you come home from the hospital, you will feel weak, but enyoj the down time while you can!
   — Michele B.

August 5, 2003
Congrats on your date. Don't wait to purchase sample packets of protein. Try them BEFORE surgery so you'll know what you like and have that type on hand for your return home. You can also purchase Isopure protein and Real Meals through E-Bay (found them to be cheaper there). Good luck and much success to you!
   — Deanna C.

August 5, 2003
There is also a liquid calcium citrate. Look on the Vitamin World website. As far as protein, the Atkins Advantage canned shakes---Chocolate Royale is pretty good. Also at Vitamin World, the Body Fortress Chocolate whey protein is good. I mixed 2 scoops with 10 oz. of skim milk in a Tupperware shaker. Smelled bad til it was mixed, but was the only powder I found that was not gritty. Good luck!!
   — Fixnmyself

August 5, 2003
Hi Sandy, try this www.wlssuccess.com website. There are guidelines from my surgeon for vitamin and protein intake depending on the type of surgery you are having. Prices and service are great. Open RNY 04/03 down 63 lbs.
   — blank first name B.

August 5, 2003
I'm still pre-op but during my wait to see the surgeon I've been trying things and stocking up on items. I've found the protein at Wal-Mart to be cheap in price but don't have that many servings per container. Where I live Edge Advant HP whey protein at Wal-mart runs $8.47 per container of 12 servings. That comes to $.71 per serving. I went to GNC today and bought a container of Pro Performance protein for $24.99 (47 servings). They have a card you can purchase for $15 (a year) that will take 30% off of that (& a several other items) every day and 20% off of all things in the store, including vitamins, during the first week of every month. So my protein powder came to $17.50 which is $.37 per serving. My savings today paid for half the price of the gold card. Basically what I'm getting at is that you get more for a cheaper price in the long run. But with all things it comes down to what tastes good and what you will use. I agree that you should give them a try before surgery. At least to get an idea of what they taste like. I've found that Costco has children's chewable multivitamins 300 count for $9.29. Vitalady carries the same brand so if you don't have a Costco you can get them through her. They also carry a vitamin C 500 count for only $9.89. Wal-Mart does seem to have the best price in Calcium Citrate plus D (Spring Valley). Here they are $8.94 for 200 count. I'm a firm believer that you should start taking your vitamins and even start upping your protein before surgery to get your body ready for the event. It will help in the healing process. Good luck and congrats on your up coming surgery!
   — Renee A.